When I look back, it’s funny to think about how I got here. If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be starting a PhD in quantum computing, I probably would have laughed. I had absolutely no intention of doing a PhD—none whatsoever. I was done with academia after my Masters, or so I thought. But life has a way of changing your plans.
For the past five years, I was deep in the world of web development, building websites, handling IT, and everything else that came with being the only software engineer in a small startup. That’s what I loved about those environments—the variety. I wasn’t just writing code; I was involved in every aspect of the business, from customer support to marketing. Every day was different, and I thrived on that interdisciplinary approach.
But after a while, I started feeling like I wanted something more, something that would challenge me in new ways. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of different fields, and quantum computing kept popping up in my mind. It’s such a fascinating blend of disciplines—math, computer science, physics, even philosophy. I guess I was looking for something that could satisfy my curiosity on multiple levels, and quantum computing seemed to be the perfect fit.
I’m not going to lie—it’s intimidating. Quantum mechanics is notoriously difficult to grasp, and sometimes it feels like nobody truly understands it. But that’s part of the appeal for me. There’s this strange, almost philosophical challenge in trying to wrap your head around it, and I can’t help but think, maybe I’ll be the one to really get it, to make sense of what’s still so mysterious to everyone else.
One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I need variety to keep my mind sharp. I discovered by accident that taking a break from one activity can lead to breakthroughs in another. Like when I’m out for a walk, listening to music, and suddenly a complex concept I’ve been struggling with just clicks. It’s like my brain needs that space to connect the dots in its own time. So I make sure to mix things up—creative writing, music, anything that lets me think differently.
As excited as I am about the intellectual challenge of quantum computing, I’m also motivated by what it can do for the world. I remember this placement I did at the University of Oxford’s oncology department, working on bioinformatics. Every day, I’d cycle past the hospital and think, “This is why we’re doing this.” Quantum computing has the potential to solve some of the biggest data problems in medicine, and that’s incredibly exciting to me.
But it’s not just about the science. I believe that part of my responsibility as someone entering this field is to help people understand it, to make it accessible. The word “quantum” tends to intimidate people, and I get that. But I also think that if we can communicate it in the right way, more people will see that it’s not this impenetrable mystery. It’s just another puzzle to solve, another story to tell.
That’s something I’m really passionate about—translating complex ideas into something that makes sense to everyone, whether they’re scientists or not. I’ve done a bit of work with think tanks, exploring the intersection of tech and policy, and I see how important it is to get ahead of these advancements, rather than scrambling to regulate them after the fact. We’ve seen that happen with AI and social media, and I’d like to think we can learn from those lessons.
As I get ready to start this PhD, I’m excited but also a little nervous. The first six months are going to be training—lectures, labs, all the basics. I’m particularly looking forward to learning how to work in a lab. I haven’t done any lab work since my A levels, and I’m eager to see if I’m any good at it. I’ve been doing theory for so long, and I’m ready to get my hands dirty with some actual experiments.
People have different reactions when I tell them what I’m doing. Some of my friends who studied physics are quick to dive into technical discussions, and that can be a bit intimidating because I haven’t even started yet. But then there are those who hear “quantum” and immediately say, “Wow, you must be really smart.” I always try to steer that conversation away from the “smart” label. I don’t think it’s helpful, and I really believe that anyone can understand this stuff if they’re willing to put in the effort.
In the end, I’m just someone who’s curious, someone who loves a challenge, and someone who believes that even the most complex problems can be understood if we approach them with the right mindset. I don’t know where this journey will take me, but I’m excited to find out.